Christie’s Hong Kong auctions hit record numbers last March – bringing in a stunning $332.7 million in all, for important Chinese classical paintings, porcelains, bronzes and furniture from private collections. The high prices reflected what the auction house called “deep bidding” from buyers in mainland China. It wasn’t the first time Chinese buyers have stunned the Chinese classical art market. Remember the tiny “chicken cup” that fetched a record $36 million at a Hong Kong auction in 2014? The buyer, of course, was Chinese, a prolific art collector named Liu Yiqian. He celebrated his Ming Dynasty purchase by drinking tea from it. Come hear Cai Jinqing, President of Christie’s China, share her insights on China’s high-flying collectors and the burgeoning Chinese art market.

Cai Jinqing is the Chairman of Christie’s China. Ms. Cai joined Christie’s as the Managing Director of Christie’s China in 2012. She was appointed President of Christie’s China in 2014 and hence appointed to the current role in 2016. Ms. Cai has successfully led the strategic business expansion and client engagement for Christie’s China ever since. Christie’s became the first international auction house to obtain the license to operate independently in China in 2013. Christie’s launched its inaugural sale in China in 2013 and subsequently opened two new art spaces in Shanghai in 2014 and Beijing in 2016. Ms. Cai plays a senior advisory role to art collectors, funds, private and public art institutions on art collecting and market trends. She is also responsible for expanding Christie’s educational and cultural activities and bridging cultural exchange between the East and the West. As Christie’s senior representative on the ground, she supports the company’s participation in cooperative programs between China and other countries, with a strong focus on promoting Chinese art on global stage, while both protecting and celebrating its cultural heritage. Ms. Cai was listed as “Art+Auction Power 100” by Blouin Artinfo in 2013 and “The 100 Most Powerful Women” in Art by artnet in 2014, both for her influence in the art world. She was also nominated by Foreign Policy and listed in “The Pacific Power Index” in 2015 as one of the 50 people shaping the future of U.S. and China relationship, acknowledging her efforts in raising the profile of Chinese art, at home and abroad. Ms. Cai received her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University. She was born and raised in Beijing and entered Beijing University before pursuing overseas education.